But Trump's nominee has another connection to Indian Country. Eid's husband happens to be Troy Eid, a former federal prosecutor who has been a prominent advocate on sovereignty, protections for Native women, law enforcement and other tribal issues.

That kind of experience would be helpful for a judge on the 10th Circuit. The court is currently considering some major cases with national implications, including one affecting the homelands of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

“This case has serious ramifications not only for the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho Tribe but for Indian tribes across the country,” Eastern Shoshone Chairman Clinton Wagon told NCAI.

State governments are “always attacking tribal sovereignty,” Wagon added -- officials in Wyoming are the ones challenging tribal jurisdiction over a town known as Riverton. “As Indian tribes, we must come together and unite,” he said.

A second big case before the 10th Circuit also involves a clash between sovereigns. Leaders of Pojoaque Pueblo came to NCAI to seek support as they try to protect their gaming enterprise from increasing demands for revenues by the state of New Mexico.